Experiences of barriers and facilitators in mental health care transitions: A qualitative exploration of perspectives from transitional-aged youth, family, and service providers (part 1)

Introduction: Transitional-aged youth (TAY) are at a vulnerable stage of their development in which mental health and/or addiction (MHA) issues tend to manifest and/or increase in severity. TAY also tend to find themselves subject to multiple care transitions, often resulting in sub-optimal access t...

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Main Authors: Roula Markoulakis, Hinaya Cader, Karen Wong, Sugy Kodeeswaran, Tracey Addison, Cathy Walsh, Jocelyn Charles, Amy Cheung, Deepy Sur, David Willis, Anthony Levitt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Health Care Transitions
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949923224000473
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author Roula Markoulakis
Hinaya Cader
Karen Wong
Sugy Kodeeswaran
Tracey Addison
Cathy Walsh
Jocelyn Charles
Amy Cheung
Deepy Sur
David Willis
Anthony Levitt
author_facet Roula Markoulakis
Hinaya Cader
Karen Wong
Sugy Kodeeswaran
Tracey Addison
Cathy Walsh
Jocelyn Charles
Amy Cheung
Deepy Sur
David Willis
Anthony Levitt
author_sort Roula Markoulakis
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Transitional-aged youth (TAY) are at a vulnerable stage of their development in which mental health and/or addiction (MHA) issues tend to manifest and/or increase in severity. TAY also tend to find themselves subject to multiple care transitions, often resulting in sub-optimal access to MHA services. The objective of this study was to explore the perspectives of TAY, family members, and system providers regarding the supports needed by TAY and their families during transitions through MHA care. Methods: This is a descriptive qualitative study of TAY, family, and provider perspectives on their experiences with accessing/providing MHA care and transition supports for TAY. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 14 TAY, 26 family members, and 23 service providers. Participants were asked about their experiences with regard to barriers and facilitators to transitions in care for TAY with MHA concerns. Data was analyzed utilizing a thematic analysis approach. Results: Six themes emerged during data analysis: pathways to care, appropriate and comprehensive care, continuity of care, informed care, family involvement, and TAY involvement. These results provide a better understanding of the needs of TAY and their families in relation to accessing and transitioning through MHA system supports and improving MHA outcomes. They also include the views of service providers on the current state of access to and transitions through MHA care, specifically for the TAY population. Discussion: This information reveals the supports needed by TAY and their families along with the challenges created due to a lack of guidance, transition preparation, collaboration, and continuity in the MHA system. MHA providers working with TAY and families can utilize these findings to promote effective TAY and family engagement for positive transitions and care experiences.
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spelling doaj-art-94fa0cd5e200446b92735bc476d318ac2025-08-20T01:54:19ZengElsevierHealth Care Transitions2949-92322025-01-01310008710.1016/j.hctj.2024.100087Experiences of barriers and facilitators in mental health care transitions: A qualitative exploration of perspectives from transitional-aged youth, family, and service providers (part 1)Roula Markoulakis0Hinaya Cader1Karen Wong2Sugy Kodeeswaran3Tracey Addison4Cathy Walsh5Jocelyn Charles6Amy Cheung7Deepy Sur8David Willis9Anthony Levitt10Sunnybrook Research Institute, Canada; University of Toronto, Canada; Correspondence to: 365 Bloor Street East, Suite 1900, Toronto, Ontario M4W 1H7, Canada.Sunnybrook Research Institute, CanadaSunnybrook Research Institute, CanadaSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, CanadaSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, CanadaFamily Advisory Council, Family Navigation Project, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, CanadaUniversity of Toronto, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, CanadaSunnybrook Research Institute, Canada; University of Toronto, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, CanadaOntario Association of Social Work, CanadaStrides Toronto, CanadaSunnybrook Research Institute, Canada; University of Toronto, Canada; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, CanadaIntroduction: Transitional-aged youth (TAY) are at a vulnerable stage of their development in which mental health and/or addiction (MHA) issues tend to manifest and/or increase in severity. TAY also tend to find themselves subject to multiple care transitions, often resulting in sub-optimal access to MHA services. The objective of this study was to explore the perspectives of TAY, family members, and system providers regarding the supports needed by TAY and their families during transitions through MHA care. Methods: This is a descriptive qualitative study of TAY, family, and provider perspectives on their experiences with accessing/providing MHA care and transition supports for TAY. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 14 TAY, 26 family members, and 23 service providers. Participants were asked about their experiences with regard to barriers and facilitators to transitions in care for TAY with MHA concerns. Data was analyzed utilizing a thematic analysis approach. Results: Six themes emerged during data analysis: pathways to care, appropriate and comprehensive care, continuity of care, informed care, family involvement, and TAY involvement. These results provide a better understanding of the needs of TAY and their families in relation to accessing and transitioning through MHA system supports and improving MHA outcomes. They also include the views of service providers on the current state of access to and transitions through MHA care, specifically for the TAY population. Discussion: This information reveals the supports needed by TAY and their families along with the challenges created due to a lack of guidance, transition preparation, collaboration, and continuity in the MHA system. MHA providers working with TAY and families can utilize these findings to promote effective TAY and family engagement for positive transitions and care experiences.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949923224000473Transitional-aged youthCaregiversFamiliesService providersMental healthAddictions
spellingShingle Roula Markoulakis
Hinaya Cader
Karen Wong
Sugy Kodeeswaran
Tracey Addison
Cathy Walsh
Jocelyn Charles
Amy Cheung
Deepy Sur
David Willis
Anthony Levitt
Experiences of barriers and facilitators in mental health care transitions: A qualitative exploration of perspectives from transitional-aged youth, family, and service providers (part 1)
Health Care Transitions
Transitional-aged youth
Caregivers
Families
Service providers
Mental health
Addictions
title Experiences of barriers and facilitators in mental health care transitions: A qualitative exploration of perspectives from transitional-aged youth, family, and service providers (part 1)
title_full Experiences of barriers and facilitators in mental health care transitions: A qualitative exploration of perspectives from transitional-aged youth, family, and service providers (part 1)
title_fullStr Experiences of barriers and facilitators in mental health care transitions: A qualitative exploration of perspectives from transitional-aged youth, family, and service providers (part 1)
title_full_unstemmed Experiences of barriers and facilitators in mental health care transitions: A qualitative exploration of perspectives from transitional-aged youth, family, and service providers (part 1)
title_short Experiences of barriers and facilitators in mental health care transitions: A qualitative exploration of perspectives from transitional-aged youth, family, and service providers (part 1)
title_sort experiences of barriers and facilitators in mental health care transitions a qualitative exploration of perspectives from transitional aged youth family and service providers part 1
topic Transitional-aged youth
Caregivers
Families
Service providers
Mental health
Addictions
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949923224000473
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